26.10.12 TRIP: Geography Field Trip, Iceland

Months

The Geography department is planning a field visit to Iceland for students who are considering studying Geography at GCSE. The visit will take place at the beginning of the 2012 October half-term and will last 5 days/4 nights. The field trip is not compulsory and students not attending will not be disadvantaged in terms of the requirements of the GCSE course.

As you can appreciate the organisation of such a visit requires contacting parents very early on in order to gauge the number of students interested before the booking can be confirmed. Unfortunately if there are insufficient numbers interested, the visit may not go ahead primarily because of the increase in cost due to diminishing numbers. However, in order to secure numbers it is likely we will team up with the Geography department at Northgate High School, as we have done with our very successful previous trips.

Based on 35 students going again the trip is likely to be in the region of £780 payable in instalments. This would include flights, accommodation, food, visits and the company of an experienced tour guide provided by Rayburn Tours (www.rayburntours.com).

During the visit students would have the opportunity to see glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, take a ferry to the volcanic island of Heimaey, visit the Thingvellir National Park and go to the Blue Lagoon geothermal swimming pool. Students would also have a chance to explore the capital city, Reykjavik.

We appreciate it may be a big decision to let your son/daughter go on a school trip costing approximately £780 with little information provided in advance. Therefore those declaring an interest will be invited to an optional information evening on Tuesday 15th November at 6:30pm in the school canteen. The evening will include a short presentation about the visit and will also provide you with an opportunity to discuss any issues regarding the trip before making a final decision. If you are unable to attend the evening, an information pack will be sent out to you.

If your son/daughter is interested in the trip to Iceland, please complete and return the form to his/her Geography teacher by Tuesday 15th November. Unfortunately, if there are insufficient numbers of students interested, the visit may not go ahead, primarily because of the increase in cost due to diminishing numbers.